unthinkingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unthinkingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions done without careful thought or consideration. Example: "She unthinkingly agreed to the proposal without reading the fine print."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reasoning behind the ruling is that fund managers have tended to vote, often unthinkingly, with management, even if that is not in shareholders' interest.

The Economist

But the last thing microfinance needs is more money unthinkingly thrown at it.

The Economist

Many parents unthinkingly endorse the first assertion, yet would find it hard to contest the second.That illogicality intrigues Steven Johnson, a prolific writer.

The Economist

The Estonian media, especially its online bits, tend to react unthinkingly to "news".

The Economist

Mr Schröder had led Germany up a blind alley, falling out with the Americans over Iraq, unthinkingly supporting the French in the European Union, and cosying up to Russia's Vladimir Putin despite protests from Germany's eastern neighbours.

The Economist

Mr Paolozzi's experience in California confirmed his view that the world was bowing unthinkingly in the direction of the wasteful Americans.Related items The Dean GalleryApr 8th 1999The revolutionaryIn the 1920s the parents of Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi had emigrated from Italy to Leith, in Scotland, where they set up an ice-cream parlour.

The Economist

So the best bet for those in search of a sanity-check on the new M&A boom is to gauge whether overall activity is near a peak, which is when most excesses occur.Cycles of historyThe first test is whether a bandwagon is rolling, with corporate bosses jumping aboard unthinkingly.

The Economist

"The alternatives would only be worse," caution many, unthinkingly.

The Economist

Llewyn can get nothing right; he rushes, coatless, through the wintry streets of Manhattan to make recording sessions on time, but then unthinkingly signs away his rights to future hits; he spends his last few dollars joining the merchant navy, only to discover later that he has thrown away the requisite papers.

The Economist

In particular, more education does not necessarily mean more growth, as most politicians (and economists) unthinkingly suppose.In this section A cliff-hanger Safe as houses End of an era In Nago's fair city Number crunch Upscale The education shibboleth ReprintsThe doubts do not arise so much over primary and secondary education.

The Economist

A Bloomberg TV anchor managed to have gift certificates stolen when displaying the private key unthinkingly during a broadcast.Dr Green and three colleagues at Johns Hopkins University Christina Garman, Ian Miers, and Aviel D. Rubin released a paper in April 2013 that charted a different path relying on zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unthinkingly" to convey that an action was performed without any prior thought or consideration. It often implies a negative consequence resulting from this lack of thought.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "unthinkingly" (an adverb describing how an action is performed) with "unthinking" (an adjective describing someone who lacks the ability to think). For example, use "He acted unthinkingly" not "He acted unthinking."

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unthinkingly" modifies a verb, indicating that an action was performed without thought or consideration. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing how people make decisions or react to situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unthinkingly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverb that describes actions performed without sufficient thought or consideration. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its primary function is to criticize or highlight a lack of forethought, often implying negative consequences. While the term is appropriate in various contexts, including news articles and less formal settings, it is essential to differentiate it from the adjective "unthinking". The most common related terms are "without thinking" and "thoughtlessly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without thinking

This is a more general and direct way to express the lack of thought.

thoughtlessly

This alternative emphasizes a lack of consideration for the consequences of one's actions.

carelessly

This suggests a lack of attention or diligence in one's actions.

heedlessly

This emphasizes a disregard for potential dangers or warnings.

inadvertently

This implies that the action was unintentional or accidental.

without consideration

This phrase highlights the absence of careful deliberation.

impulsively

This focuses on acting on a sudden urge or impulse.

rashly

This suggests acting with excessive speed and a lack of caution.

indiscreetly

This emphasizes a lack of tact or discretion in one's actions.

foolishly

This implies a lack of wisdom or good judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "unthinkingly" in a sentence?

You can use "unthinkingly" to describe an action done without thought. For example, "She "unthinkingly agreed" to the terms without reading them."

What's a synonym for "unthinkingly"?

Alternatives to "unthinkingly" include "thoughtlessly", "carelessly", or "without thinking".

Is it correct to say 'He acted unthinkingly'?

Yes, 'He acted unthinkingly' is grammatically correct. It means he acted without thinking.

What is the difference between 'unthinking' and "unthinkingly"?

"Unthinking" is an adjective describing a person or action as lacking thought, while "unthinkingly" is an adverb describing how an action is performed without thought. For example, 'He made an "unthinking remark"' versus 'He spoke unthinkingly'.